No way back for Benitez at Real Madrid

Rafa Benitez’s fate as Real Madrid manager is all but sealed after losing the support of his senior players and members of the club’s hierarchy, Goal understands.

The former Liverpool manager attempted to demonstrate a united front with club president Florentino Perez by issuing a joint Christmas message to the club’s fans on Thursday, but Goal can confirm the relationship between the manager, senior Real Madrid officials and several influential members of the dressing room has been damaged beyond repair.

Real Madrid may have advanced to the knockout stages of the Champions League and trail Liga leaders Barcelona by just two points, but cracks have been emerging in Benitez’s reign almost from the offset.

The 55-year-old was a controversial appointment and made a far from positive opening impression when he neglected the opportunity to hail Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world during a pre-season tour of Australia.

Benitez has since fallen out with the likes of Isco, Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and even the usually mild mannered Luka Modric has failed to see eye-to-eye with the coach.

The Santiago Bernabeu crowd have also failed to warm to Benitez’s methods despite the team having suffered only three defeats in his 23 matches in charge.

Significant losses against the likes of Villarreal, Sevilla and Barcelona, who stormed to a 4-0 win at the home of their fiercest rivals in the first Clasico of the season, appears to have coloured the opinions of Real Madrid’s ultra-demanding fans.